Astroscale’s Post

The junk in our orbit is a ticking time bomb, threatening the very infrastructure of our modern space technology. We can't keep launching and polluting our space environment, only to then abandon the debris on orbit as if it's someone else's problem! It's time for a circular space economy, where we design for sustainability and take responsibility for our actions. The future of space exploration depends on it. Let's wake up and act NOW! Check out my full op-ed now, over at CNN #spacejunk #spaceeconomy #celestialstewardship https://lnkd.in/eu6xbCFF

Fingers-crossed the increase in solar activity does not exacerbate the space junk problem. Some have blamed solar activity for LEO satellites failing or having to deorbit years earlier than their intended mission life. This has got me thinking about propulsion for deorbit purposes… what happens if the satellite is not responding? The deorbit plan goes out the window. There are mechanical solutions for deorbiting smallsats available. It might be a good time to consider making such systems mandatory for when things go wrong.

Space Trash Signs” – An Initiative to Illustrate the Issue of Space Pollution Once again, space exploration is experiencing a surge. However, accompanying this growth is the issue of space debris. With over 160 million pieces of human-made space debris orbiting Earth, including remnants of defunct rockets and satellites, the problem is evident. Unlike terrestrial trash, space debris hurtles through orbit at speeds of 15 kilometers per second. Serviceplan Group Alex Schill Privateer Space Ramji Ravindran Shilpi Ramji

Ray Fielding, the Head of Space Sustainability at the UK Space Agency, spoke with The Innovation Platform’s Maddie Hall to discuss the issue of debris in space and what can be done to combat it. Space debris can cause many issues, from collisions to explosions of residual fuel. In recent years, legislation has been put in place to try to minimise the amount of debris put into the space surrounding Earth and remove some. More needs to be done, however. The space around Earth is important not just for space exploration, but for satellites and expanding our capabilities and understanding of the world and the Universe. Yet the amount of debris in our immediate space threatens the future of continued operations. #SpaceDebris #SpaceSustainability #Space Click the link below to discover more ⬇ https://bit.ly/3uMX8z9

Extra terrestrial pollution. 🚀 Space junk falling to Earth poses potential risks to both property and human safety. ⚠ When space debris re-enters the Earth's atmosphere, it can pose a threat to satellites, spacecraft, and even populated areas on the ground. The risk of space junk falling to Earth includes the possibility of damage to buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure, as well as the potential for injury or loss of life if debris lands in populated areas. 🌠 To mitigate the risks associated with space junk falling to Earth, space agencies and organizations around the world actively track and monitor objects in orbit to predict potential re-entry paths. By monitoring the trajectory of space debris, authorities can issue warnings and take precautionary measures to minimize the impact of falling debris on the ground. 🔬 Additionally, efforts are underway to develop technologies and strategies for removing space debris from orbit to reduce the amount of junk that poses a risk of re-entry. These initiatives aim to clean up the space environment and prevent future collisions that could generate more debris. 👩🔬 Overall, while the risk of space junk falling to Earth is a concern, ongoing monitoring, mitigation efforts, and international collaboration are essential for managing this risk and ensuring the safety of both space assets and individuals on the ground. 📡 If you are interested in this topic here are some links to sites that track space waste. https://lnkd.in/gqAKtzUV https://lnkd.in/gc5Zqeku #NASA #Spacejunk #SpaceX #CanadianSpaceAgency

Hi Space Environmentalists & Enthusiasts, here is an interview I had with Alyssa Lafleur from Resonance about space debris and various elements of the emerging space industry. Hope you enjoy. Best, Erik

☄️ Could a piece of space debris be heading for your backyard? A farmer in Saskatchewan recently discovered a two-meter wide, 40-kilogram heap of twisted, burnt metal in his field. Initially mistaken for garbage, the object was confirmed as space debris, likely from a SpaceX rocket. Incidents like this are becoming more common, with similar cases in Australia, Washington state, and even one smashing through a roof in Florida. As space launches and re-entries increase daily, the risk of serious damage or death grows. By 2030, there will be an estimated 30,000 satellites in orbit — triple the current number. 🛰️ At Aldoria (formerly Share My Space), we collect, process, and leverage space situational awareness (SSA) data to protect critical assets and resources in space. Our work is crucial to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety and sustainability of our orbital environment — and our homes on earth. Learn more on aldoria.com Read the story on https://lnkd.in/dfzW9xTU #AldoriaSpace #SpaceSafety #SSA #SpaceSustainablity  #SpaceDebris #NewSpace

🌌 Addressing The Challenge Of Space Debris: An Interview With Erik T. Long, Co-Founder and CEO of Orbotic Systems Inc... Key Highlights: 🔹 Growing Threat: The accumulation of space debris poses a significant risk to satellites and human spaceflight, intensified by the rapid increase in satellite launches. 🔹 Response: The FCC has introduced a "5-year rule" mandating that satellites be deorbited within five years, tightening previous 25-year guidelines to enforce more sustainable space practices. 🔹 Innovative Technology: Orbotic Systems' D3 device employs passive deorbiting technology, allowing spacecraft to adjust their orbits without fuel, ensuring compliance with new regulations and enhancing space traffic management. 🔹 Collaborative Efforts: The complex challenges of space debris are fostering collaboration across the industry, with a shift towards a more integrated and cooperative approach in space technology. Read more 👇 As we look towards a future where space remains accessible and safe, how do you see these innovations and regulations shaping the dynamics of space operations? https://lnkd.in/g45_gjSc #SpaceDebris #Sustainability #Innovation #SpaceTech #OrboticSystems

* 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 — For decades, the space sector has grappled with a colossal problem: #SpaceDebris. Imagine millions of defunct satellites, spent rocket parts, and paint flecks hurtling through Earth’s orbit at breakneck speeds— each possessing the kinetic energy of bombs, endangering valuable space assets. Until recently, we acknowledged this issue without decisive action. Then, in 2007, #China conducted anti-satellite (ASAT) missile testing, destroying one of its weather satellites and creating over 3,000 additional debris pieces. Russia and the U.S. have also conducted ASAT tests prior to 2007, and in 2019. India joined the ASAT club. Russia continued ASAT missile testing in 2020 and 2021, adding to the cloud of space debris in low-Earth orbit — a threat to astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). 𝙀𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙩 𝙙𝙮𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙘𝙨 Once predominantly occupied by Earth observation satellites, the low-Earth orbit (LEO) is evolving into a lucrative space for broadband satellite initiatives such as #Starlink and OneWeb. Investors are now assessing LEO's prospective value, shifting theoretical considerations into tangible opportunities. In April 2022, Vice President Kamala Harris pledged that the U.S. won’t conduct further destructive ASAT missile tests, aiming to establish a new norm for responsible behaviour in space. Regulatory changes followed: the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) spearheaded the adoption of a “5-year rule,” stipulating that 𝗟𝗘𝗢 𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (replacing the previous guidelines of 25 years). The aim? Enhanced accountability and reduced collision risk, underscoring the importance of responsible space stewardship. #SpaceSustainability has become a significant consideration, leading to a reevaluation of in-orbit servicing and debris removal companies by potential investors. What lies ahead in this evolving landscape? Read on: https://lnkd.in/gGf-5dqd)

#Space - 3S Northumbria Ltd provides sustainable space solutions grounded in the principles of a circular economy for space, evidenced through assured Space Situational Awareness, to support long-term space operations. Space sustainability is a phrase often used by governments and industry to describe many concepts without any one actual defining route to ensuring we continue to reap the benefits we receive from Near-Earth Orbits. To ensure the benefits we receive from space continue long into the future, we must first understand the problem at hand, plan for long-term solutions, and then implement those plans to enable sustainable space operations at a cost that benefits all. Ralph "Dinz" Dinsley Founder/Managing Director 3S Northumbria Ltd https://lnkd.in/eJ9nmUkg #space #circulareconomy #sustainability #esa #nasa #spacesustainability #spacex